Born out of wedlock

November 22, 2006

Out-of-wedlock births in the U.S. have climbed to an all-time high, accounting for nearly four in 10 babies born last year, government health officials said Tuesday. While out-of-wedlock births have long been associated with teen mothers, the teen birth rate actually dropped last year to the lowest level on record.

4.1 million: Babies born in the U.S. last year.

1.5 million: Number of babies born to unmarried women.

1.7 million: The number of unmarried-couple households with children in 2005.